It's in the new Rojas Commons shopping center at George Dieter and Rojas on the East Side. It's next to a planned Chipotle Mexican Grill, which is projected to open its second El Paso restaurant there in mid-January.

It will be open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week. But at 4 p.m., it makes a unique transformation from a fast-food-like spot for lunch to a full-service, sit-down restaurant in the evening.

The five different Asian cuisines "sets us apart" from other Asian restaurants, Brian Padilla, part of a group that owns the El Paso-area Mama Fu's franchise rights, said in an interview several months ago.

Mama Fu's assistant manager Sergio Rodriguez serves a dish during the restaurant's soft opening Friday. The restaurant at 1355 George Dieter specializes in Asian dishes from various countries in the orient. Mark Lambie/El Paso Times

"The Asian food segment has a lot of opportunity and is starting to grow," Padilla said.

Padilla is managing partner for Food Management Partners of San Antonio, which has plans to open at least five other Mama Fu's restaurants, including others in El Paso, Las Cruces and other areas of New Mexico.

Padilla's company also operates Buffalo Wild Wings franchises in several states, including two locations in El Paso and one in Las Cruces. It also operates Zio's Italian Kitchen franchise locations. Zio's has no El Paso restaurants.

Besides Mama Fu's and Chipotle, the Rojas Commons center, will have other restaurants.

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El Paso's first Jason's Deli is projected to open in late January. Menchie's frozen yogurt and McDonald's are also expected to open stores there next month. Dunkin' Donuts is expected to open a new location in the center this month.

Vic Kolenc may be reached at vkolenc@elpasotimes.com, 546-6421. Follow him on Twitter @vickolencMore information: mamafus.com

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